A spokesman for the Department of Justice said Mr Waters will have completed 40 years’ service in the civil service next February.

It is also insisted that the retirement of Mr Waters is unconnected to any recent controversies in the justice area.

“The Secretary General notified the Minister formally yesterday that, as he will have shortly served for 40 years, he intends to retire in February,” a Department statement said. “This was noted as a matter of routine at today’s Government meeting.”